Engaging in Sports in Schools is Haraam for Girls

Shaykh ‘Abd al-Kareem al-Khudayr (may Allah preserve him) was asked: 

With regard to the introduction of physical education in girls’ schools in such a way that it does not contradict Islamic teachings, what is the ruling on introducing this course into girls’ education? 

He replied: Demanding the introduction of physical education in girls’ schools is following in the footsteps of the Shaytaan, which Allah, may He be exalted, has forbidden to us in the verses in which He says: “O mankind! Eat of that which is lawful and good on the earth, and follow not the footsteps of Shaytaan (Satan). Verily, he is to you an open enemy” [Soorah al-Baqarah: 168]

“O you who believe! Enter perfectly in Islam (by obeying all the rules and regulations of the Islamic religion) and follow not the footsteps of Shaytaan (Satan). Verily! He is to you a plain enemy” [Soorah al-Baqarah: 208]

“And of the cattle (are some) for burden (like camels etc.) and (some are) small (unable to carry burden like sheep, goats etc. for food, meat, milk, wool etc.). Eat of what Allah has provided for you, and follow not the footsteps of Shaytaan (Satan). Surely he is to you an open enemy” [Soorah al-An‘aam: 142]

“O you who believe! Follow not the footsteps of Shaytaan (Satan). And whosoever follows the footsteps of Shaytaan (Satan), then, verily he commands Al-Fahsha (i.e. to commit indecency (illegal sexual intercourse, etc.)), and Al-Munkar (disbelief and polytheism (i.e. to do evil and wicked deeds; to speak or to do what is forbidden in Islam, etc.))” [Soorah an-Noor: 21]. 

Allah has made it perfectly clear to us that the Shaytaan is an enemy to us, and He has commanded us to take him as an enemy. The Shaytaan is eager to lead the children of Adam astray, as he swore to do by the might of Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, when he said – as Allah tells us – : “ ‘By Your Might, then I will surely mislead them all’” [Soorah Saad :82]. 

If we look at what the Shaytaan did, as a result of this so-called sport, stirring up enmity and resentment, and barring people from remembering Allah – as is obvious to everyone – (then we will realize how serious the matter is). It is sufficient for us to remember what happened to neighbouring countries when they ignored the commands of Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, and followed the footsteps of the Shaytaan.

The first step was playing sports in modest clothing, in women-only environments, then they gave up these conditions gradually, little by little, until it ended up with the situation that no caring and mature-thinking Muslim could approve of, let alone anyone who is religiously committed. If men are expected to prepare themselves and be physically strong, then women are expected to focus on their role by staying at home and raising the next generation with religious commitment, good morals, virtues and Islamic etiquette.

What I have no doubt about is that playing sports in school, for girls, is Haraam, because of the negative consequences that result from it, as is obvious to anyone who has a mind to think. It is not permissible to demand it, let alone approve of it. 

Source: Fataawa ash-Shaykh ‘Abd al-Kareem al-Khudayr (1/21, 22). Click here fore more details

Can a Woman Say Salaam to Men?

The noble Shaykhah, Umm Abdillaah al-Waadi’iyyah wrote:

Imaam Muslim reported on the authority of Umm Haani bint Abi Talib (may Allaah be pleased with her) who said: ‘I went to the Messenger of Allaah in the Year of Conquest, I found him performing a bath while his daughter, Faatimah (may Allaah be pleased with her), was concealing him with a cloth.’ Umm Haani (may Allaah be pleased with her) said salaam then he replied: ‘Who is she?’ Umm Haani (may Allah be pleased with her) said: Umm Haani bint Abi Taalib.”

Women may say salaam to men when there is no fear of trial.[1]

Question: If a person that I do not know says, ‘As-Salaam alaykum; is it permissible for me to reply him, especially if I am walking on the street?

Shaykh bin Baaz: Yes, it is permissible. In fact, it is legislated or obligatory based on the saying of Allaah: “And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet [in return] with one better than it or [at least] return it [in a like manner].”[2] In addition, Allah’s Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) greeted women with the greeting of salaam, admonished women and invited them to Allaah. Therefore, when a Muslim says salaam, it should be replied regardless of whether the salaam was addressed to men or women. If a woman says salaam to men, they should reply her and if men say salaam to women, they should reply the men according to the proofs in the Qur’aan and Sunnah. However, she should be careful in doing that and keep away from suspicion or not wearing Hijaab. She should put on the Islamic Hijaab in the markets and in the presence of non-mahram men in any place. So she can return the greeting of salaam to men or initiate in and vice versa[3].

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[1] My Sincere Advice to Women, p. 321-322 by Umm Abdillaah al-Waadi’iyyah.

[2] Soorah an-Nisaa: 86

[3] www.binbaz.org.sa/noor/787

Yearning for One's Wife

Imaam ibn al-Qayyim said:

It was authentically reported from the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) that he was asked: “Who is the dearest of people to you? He replied: “ ‘Aa’ishah.”[1] Hence, whenever Masrooq (may Allah have mercy on him) wanted to narrate a hadeeth from her, he would say: “As-Siddeeqah bint As-Siddeeq, the beloved of Allah’s Messenger and the one that was exonerated from above the seventh heaven, narrated to me…” It was also authentically conveyed from the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam)) that he said: “Women and perfume have been made dear to me from your world, and the comfort of my eye is in Prayer.”[2]

Hence, there is no blame on a man for his love of his wife and his yearning for her except if that distracts him from the love of that which is more beneficial to him such as the love of Allah and His Messenger, and competes with the love of Allah and love of His Messenger. This is because any love that competes with the love of Allah and His Messenger, such that it weakens and reduces the love for Allah and His Messenger, is blameworthy. However, if the love helps in achieving the love of Allah and His Messenger and serves as one of the means of strengthening it, such is praiseworthy.

Ighaathah al-Lahfaan min Masaa’id ash-Shaytaan by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (may Allaah have mercy on him)

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[1]  Recorded by al-Bukhaaree (3662) and Muslim (2374)

[2] Recorded by Ahmad and An-Nasaa’ee (3391)

When is it Preferable for a Woman to Pray in the Mosque?

Question: “Is it preferable for a woman to pray in her house or in a mosque close to her house?”

Shaikh al-Albaani:

“It is better for her to pray in her house, unless there is a class or admonition taking place in the mosque, which the woman would benefit from. Then in this case the ruling changes and what is preferable is for her to pray in the mosque. However, if her going to the mosque is just for prayer, then praying in the house is better for her...

Sisilah al-Huda wan-Noor, no. 004

Removing Hijab in Front of a Seven Year Old Boy

The Question [Reader]: May Allāh bless you, our Shaikh. The twelfth question. The one asking says: What is the age of the child in front of whom a woman must wear hijab? Is it the age of tamyīz [when a child can understand the issues of prayer] or puberty?

The [Shaykh’s] Answer: That which is apparent to me is the age of tamyīz [when a child can understand the issues of prayer], since the mumayyiz [one who can understand the issues of prayer] has come to know what women’s private parts are; nothing of them is unknown to him, unless he were one of slow intellectual development—this one’s situation is something else.

Question: He says, “O Shaikh, what is the sign by which tamyīz is known, our Shaikh?”

The Answer: Reaching seven years [of age]. The scholars derived that from his ﷺ speech, “Order your children to pray at seven years [of age],” [to the remainder] of the ḥadīth.[1]

Answered by: Shaykh ʿUbayd al-Jābirī

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[1] Source: http://ar.miraath.net/fatwah/11311. Translator: Mikail ibn Mahboob Ariff

Drinking One's Wife's Milk

Question: While I was having intercourse with my breastfeeding wife, I drank her milk. Is her milk lawful to him?

Answer: Breastfeeding a grown-up has no effect, because the breastfeeding which has an effect is that which consists of five sucklings or more within the first two years, before weaning. On the basis of this, if it happened that someone breastfed from his wife or drank her milk, he does not become her son.

Source: Fataawaa Mu'aasirah, p. 80, by Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-'Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him)